The Predictive Ability of C-Peptide in Distinguishing Type 1 Diabetes From Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the predictive ability of plasma connecting peptide (C-peptide) levels in discriminating type 1 diabetes (T1D) from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to inform evidence-based guidelines in diabetes classification.MethodsWe conducted a holistic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. The citations were screened from 1942 to 2021. The quality criteria and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis checklist were applied. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022355088).ResultsA total of 23,658 abstracts were screened and 46 full texts reviewed. Of the 46 articles screened, 12 articles were included for the meta-analysis. Included studies varied by race, age, time, and proportion of individuals. The main outcome measure in all studies was C-peptide levels. A significant association was reported between C-peptide levels and the classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Furthermore, lower concentrations and the cutoff of <0.20 nmol/L for fasting or random plasma C-peptide was indicative of T1D. In addition, this meta-analysis revealed the predictive ability of C-peptide levels in discriminating T1D from T2D. Results were consistent using both fixed- and random-effect models. The I² value (98.8%) affirmed the variability in effect estimates was due to heterogeneity rather than sampling error among all selected studies.ConclusionPlasma C-peptide levels are highly associated and predictive of the accurate classification and diagnosis of diabetes types. A plasma C-peptide cutoff of ≤0.20 mmol/L is indicative of T1D and of ≥0.30 mmol/L in the fasting or random state is indicative of T2D.     

Allergic inflammation as a hypothesis for the expulsion of worms from tissues: A review

Introduction; comparison of studies of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis; discussion; summary; references.     

Structure and function of bovine growth hormone bovine growth hormone as an experimental model for studies of protein-protein interactions

Growth hormone (GH) is a polipeptide that controls the differentiation, growth and metabolism of many cell types, and is secreted from the hypophysis of all vertebrate species tested so far. Despite the overlapping evolutionary, structural, immunological and biological properties, it is well-known that GHs from distinct mammalian species have significant species-specific characteristics. The main purpose of this review is to highlight bovine GH (bGH) structural features related to its species-specific properties. Novel interest in bGH is also aroused by the advent of biotechnological methods for production of recombinant proteins. In fact recombinant bGH will have a great importance in veterinary medicine research and as a ‘high tech’ drug that needs to be monitored in zootechnical productions.     

Biological control of snail-borne diseases: a review

The need for alternatives to chemical control of snail-borne diseases and the growing interest in biological control methods are noted. Two groups of natural enemies of snails reviewed as especially promising for biological control are competing and predatory snails, and predatory fly larvae. Potentially useful natural enemies of the intramolluscan stages of trematodes include microsporidian infections and antagonistic trematode larvae. More unusual methods of biological control include the use of a toxic plant product (endod) and genetic manipulation of snails to decrease their susceptibility to trematode infection. The disappointing progress in biological control of snail-borne diseases in the past is attributed largely to delay in recognizing the need for alternatives to chemical control and to lack of interdisciplinary communication.     

High Thyrotropin Levels and Risk of Mortality in the Elderly With Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine whether elevated endogenous thyrotropin levels contribute to an increased risk of adverse outcomes, such as all-cause mortality in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism.MethodsEight electronic databases were searched for relevant articles from inception until March 23, 2022. Cohort studies assessing the association between thyrotropin levels and the risk of mortality among older adults aged ≥60 years with subclinical hypothyroidism were eligible. The outcomes of interest were either all-cause or cardiovascular-related mortality. Two independent researchers assessed the eligibility of the studies and collected data through a previously defined data extraction form. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of evidence, and multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% Cl) were collected as the necessary risk estimate for synthesis. Random-effects models were applied for meta-analysis.ResultsOverall, 13 studies involving 44 514 participants were included in this meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the risk of all-cause mortality (pooled HR: 1.18 [95% Cl: 0.95, 1.45], I² = 94%) and cardiovascular-related mortality (pooled HR: 1.08 [95% Cl: 0.94, 1.23], I² = 0%) between euthyroid older adults and older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. The results remained the same when only older adults with thyrotropin ≥10 mIU/L were assessed (pooled HR for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular-related mortality, respectively: 1.53 [95% Cl: 0.81, 2.88], I² = 22%, 1.35 [95% Cl: 0.63, 2.86], I² = 43%).ConclusionHigh thyrotropin levels are not associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality as well as cardiovascular-related mortality in older adults aged ≥60 years with subclinical hypothyroidism, suggesting an unnecessity in initialing treatment.